Category: Angst, Adventure, AU, Slave/Master

Pairings: 1x2, 4x3 (eventually), 5x?

Rating: R (?)

Disclaimer: Standard. You know them all by now so I won't bore you with a repeat.

Warnings: This story does show how a lot of people felt about the owning of slaves, a feeling that was very alive in this country not that long ago, as well as in many civilizations down through the ages. There are some good owners and some bad owners, like in everything. If someone owning another person bothers you, you might not like this fic. But then I'm not forcing anyone to read it. There are also M/M relationships in this fic (I'm very much a 1x2/3x4 fan.) so if boys being together (and I do mean together) bothers you don't read.

Golden Lights Part Thirty Six

By SilverLady

Quatre wrinkled his nose at the scent that rose up to greet him as he followed Trowa down the long pier to the ship that was taking them back to Macir. It was a combination of sea water, dead fish, old wood and something unidentifiable. He hoped the ship didn't smell like this or it would not be a pleasant trip.

Turning his attention away from the smell, Quatre watched Trowa as he walked in front of him. If his feelings weren't confusing enough, the kiss of a few days before had only muddied the waters. He really didn't know what he felt toward the tall man and he sure didn't understand Trowa's motives. Just when he thought he knew where things were going, Trowa would do something to change them. Quatre wasn't sure if Trowa liked him, lusted after him, hated him or what. He was so afraid to do the wrong thing that he was growing wary of doing anything at all. Even what he should call him seemed to change without warning.

When Trowa stopped at the ramp leading up to the deck of the ship, Quatre also stopped. He slowly looked the ship over from front to back. He'd never seen such a large ship before. "Master?"

Trowa looked back at his blonde slave. "Yes, Quatre?"

"What about the horses? Shouldn't we have just ridden them back.? It doesn't seem right to leave them here." Quatre was very nervous about getting on something that was supposed to stay on a very deep body of water. He didn't see how something so large could possibly float without sinking, especially when you started putting things on it.

Trowa made note of Quatre's nervousness. "They are going back with us."

"How?"

"They are already loaded on the ship."

Quatre swallowed hard at that bit of news. He hadn't known horses could get on ships, too. "Will they be all right?"

"They'll be fine. The company that owns this vessel has a group of well trained handlers that sail with any shipment containing animals. They'll probably be better off than we are."

"Damn that's a big ship," Duo suddenly interrupted as he bound up to them. "And what is that smell? Smells like something died. I hope it don't smell like that for the whole trip. Makes my stomach turn."

"And anything that would prevent him from eating would be tragic," Wufei commented dryly as he walked up with Heero and Sally.

"Damn right," Duo retorted. He slide up to Heero. "Heero likes me to be ready to go at any time. Right, Heero?"

Heero glared at the long haired slave.

"See, I told you so."

Trowa shook his head. "Let's get on board. They'll be sailing soon and I'd like to get settled into our cabins." Turning, he headed up the ramp to the ship.

Quatre glanced over at Duo, who shrugged before following Heero. With a sigh Quatre moved forward, hoping that this trip would be uneventful. In any way.

*****

Fortunately for Quatre's peace of mind, the ship set sail without incident. He was also glad to find that he had no trouble getting used to the slight motion the ship made. In fact, the huge camels the Wasin rode swayed more than the ship did and he had never had any trouble when riding one of them.

Moving carefully around the small cabin that had been assigned to him, Quatre put away the things he had brought with him. The cabin was connected to Trowa's and was obviously used as sleeping quarters for the slaves traveling with their masters. Actually, Quatre didn't mind the small room. It was less trouble to keep clean and he really didn't have a lot of things any way.

The sudden knock at the door made him jump in surprise. Moving silently across the floor, he reached the door and opened it. "Master?"

Trowa stood looking at the small blonde. He's so small, was the inane thought that ran through Trowa's mind. "Are you ready for dinner?"

Quatre blinked in surprise, for more than one reason. "Is it that late, Master?"

"Yes." Trowa turned and walked away from the door, passing through his own cabin on his way to the door that lead the passage beyond. He paused when he realized that Quatre hadn't followed him. "Come on. We are dining with the Captain tonight and we don't want to keep him waiting."

Quatre stood unmoving in the doorway. He didn't think that slave ate with their masters, even on ships. He'd expected to be sent something or told to go the kitchen and get something to bring back to the room. "You want me to eat with you, Master?"

Trowa sighed. "Where else did you think you were eating?"

"In here, Master."

"Why would you think that?"

"I am only a slave, Master. I would not presume to be allowed to eat with the regular guests of this ship."

Trowa turned around, noting that Quatre was looking at the floor and not at him. He knew his behavior towards the young man was confusing, but he was just as confused. Just when he had things figured out, another piece would appear and the picture would grow muddled once more.

"It is easier all the way around if you join me for dinner. I do expect you to behave, but your presence will not be questioned. Now come on. We don't want to keep the others waiting."

Quietly Quatre walked across the room and fell in behind Trowa. "As you command, Master."

Trowa winced but said nothing. He wanted an obedient slave and he had apparently gotten one.

*****

Wufei was leaning against the wall outside the door, a frown on his face. "It's about time."

Trowa nodded to him as he walked by. "I hadn't realized it was getting so late. I'm sorry."

Wufei glared at Quatre, who stopped to let Wufei go first. "Perhaps you should get a slave that can tell time."

Trowa looked over at Wufei. "What's got your shorts in a twist?"

"Nothing."

"It wouldn't happen to be a certain pretty young lady who decided to return to Macir with us, would it?"

"Why should I care what that woman does?"

Trowa smiled slightly as he stopped outside of Heero and Duo's door. "I don't know. You tell me."

Wufei glared angrily at Trowa and crossed his arms across his chest. "Let's just get Heero and his loud mouthed companion and get moving. I'm hungry."

Trowa just nodded before knocking on the door.

After a minute the door opened and Duo looked out. "Uh, hi. Is it that late? I guess you're going to dinner, right?"

"Yes," Wufei snapped. "Now get Heero and let's go."

"Uh, we're not going. So you can go on without us."

Trowa frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, much."

Wufei stepped forward. "There will be plenty of time for screwing around later. I am hungry and do not want to wait for you and Heero to get ready. Now come on."

Duo looked down at the floor. "It's not that," he protested. "It's just that...." He was suddenly interrupted by a soft moan.

"Duo?" Heero's voice floated out from the cabin.

Duo glanced back into the room. "I'll be just a minute. The others are here to go to dinner."

Another soft moan was his only answer.

"Duo," Wufei snapped, loosing his patience.

"Duo, what is wrong?" Trowa asked calmly.

"Heero's seasick," Duo blurted out.

Trowa looked at him for a minute. "He's what?"

"Seasick. You know, nausea, vomiting, feeling miserable. The whole thing. He certainly is not interested in eating. I told him I'd stay here and keep him company. If you could just bring me something back, I'd appreciate it."

Wufei slowly shook his head. "I can't believe Heero Yuy is seasick."

"Yeah, well, he is. So you go on to dinner and don't worry about us."

Trowa looked at the braided man for a minute. "I'll see if I can get some food sent down. And I'll see if they have anything to help Heero feel better."

"Uh, could you have the food sent to your room. If he feels like I do when I'm sick, even the smell of food is not something he wants. I'll just eat it there."

"All right. I'll have them let you know when it arrives."

"Thanks. Have fun." With a slight smile he closed the door.

"And I thought that some of the others things that have happened on this trip have been strange," Wufei commented.

"Well, he did say he'd never been on a ship before." Trowa glanced back at Quatre, who was waiting patiently. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, Master."

"Have you been on a ship before?"

"No, Master. But I've ridden Wasin camels and they sway a great deal more than this ship."

"Just let me know if you start feeling sick."

"Yes, Master."

"Then let's get going. They aren't going to hold dinner for us." Trowa moved away from the door and headed down the passage. Wufei followed quickly behind.

Quatre glanced at the doorway. Who would have thought it would be Heero that would be made sick by this ship. If I was to pick someone it would not have been him. I hope it is only the motion of the ship that has made him ill and not something more serious. Should I say something to Trowa about it or not? Perhaps I should. With everything that has happened it would be better to be cautious.

With that thought firmly in place, Quatre followed after the others.